Hounslow Council is today marking Clean Air Day, the UK’s largest campaign on air pollution.
Published: Thursday, 15th June 2023
Organised by environmental charity Global Action Plan, Clean Air Day is a single-day initiative that encourages everyone to consider what actions can be taken tackle the problem of air pollution.
This year’s theme is - Clean up our air to look after your mind. Cleaning up our air not only benefits our physical health and the environment, but can also protect our mental and brain health.
The Impact
Every year, air pollution causes up to 36,000 deaths in the UK.
Air pollution poses serious risks to our health and the environment. Exposure to polluted air can seriously impact your health regardless of your age or current health status.
Both short-term and long-term exposure to air pollution can cause and contribute to a variety of chronic illnesses such as asthma, heart disease, and cancer.
How you can help
Every Londoner is both affected by poor air quality and has a part to play in helping to improve it.
- Travel actively - Give the car a rest and use healthier means of transport such as walking, cycling or public transport to get to work, school or the shops.
- Don’t leave the motor running - If you have to drive, don’t leave the car’s engine on when you are parked up. It’s called ‘vehicle idling’ and as well as being bad for the planet, it’s an offence.
- Take the road less travelled - avoid polluted heavy traffic areas if you are taking a walk or out on your bike. You could take a route through one of Hounslow’s many parks and open spaces.
- Grow a cleaner future - Trees help clean our air and reduce the impacts of climate change. Hounslow Council recently exceeded its seasonal tree planting target, with residents showing great support through the Free Trees for Hounslow giveaway.
- Don’t burn at home - Wood burners and stoves contribute to air pollution in our communities. Use them sparingly and only use smokeless fuel or dry, well-seasoned wood.
Hounslow’s action
Hounslow Council is dedicated to tackling air pollution and safeguarding its residents.
In 2019, Hounslow declared a Climate Emergency and pledged to achieve net zero carbon by 2030.
The Council produced an Air Quality Action Plan, which explains how Hounslow has acted to clean the borough’s air between 2018 and 2023. The borough’s new Air Quality Action Plan is soon set for launch and will outline how the local authority and its partners will improve air quality borough-wide up to 2028.
£1.2m was also invested into the Clean Air For All initiative in 2021 to improve air quality monitoring in Hounslow and improve residents’ health and wellbeing. Further air quality monitors are due for installation in summer 2023.
Resources
Access to real-time air quality data is crucial for understanding and monitoring air pollution.
Platforms like AirText, Air Quality England, and Breathe London allow Londoners to review air quality specific to their location. The Council’s website offers dedicated pages on air quality.
- If you’d like more information on the Clean Air Day campaign and how you can help support Hounslow’s commitment to clean air for all
- For details of Hounslow Council’s actions to improve borough air quality
- Schools in Hounslow can also receive free air quality audits on request by contacting environmental.strategy@hounslow.gov.uk
